Adding a feeling of luxury is as simple as subtracting clutter, writes Sarah Laurie.

If you've ever daydreamed about a bathroom that offers a spa experience – candles, flowers, fluffy towels and delicious fragrances in the air – don't dismiss your musings as entirely far-fetched. With such wishful thinking as inspiration, survey your current bathroom and spring into action. You may not be able to summon a personal massage therapist, but there are elements you can take control of to deliver on your wish in next to no time.

As you may suspect, it starts with a clear-out. Luxury spas do not need to accommodate first-aid paraphernalia, cleaning products, bath toys nor a month's worth of toilet paper, but you will need stylish storage options in your bathroom in order for it to remain functional.

Empty the contents of your cupboards and drawers, remove everything from the bath edge, sills and from inside your shower. You need a totally clean slate. Be ruthless: throw out anything that you don't use regularly, that is past its use-by date, and that you don't love or need.

Of the things you do need, consider replacing anything that is not pleasing to the eye. Maybe you'll have to spend a few dollars to replace a rubbish bin, shower curtain, toothbrush holder, tatty towels or perhaps a worn window blind. But compared to a bathroom renovation, the cost of these accessories is small.

If you don't have cupboards, consider keeping cleaning equipment in the laundry, or invest in shelving and storage boxes to keep such products out of the way.

If you do have cupboards, place baskets or storage boxes inside them to keep things orderly – pampering items in one, cleaning in another, first-aid kit in yet another, and so on.

The fun part

Once everything is in order, dress your bathroom for luxury. Create a list from your daydream and think about how to incorporate these elements:
Hooks on the back of the door for cosy bath robes.

Shelves above the bath to hold a stack of fluffy towels, a bowl of soaps or an oil burner.

Assorted candles for instant ambience.

Fresh flowers. One flower in a small vase can feel as special as a vessel full of tuberoses.

Bathing treats – bubble bath, body exfoliants, flannels, a soothing eye mask.

Bliss tips

Sound
Schedule your bath for when the children are in bed. Or invest in a door lock and some earplugs or an iPod.

Taste
A glass of bubbly – Champagne or mineral water – makes the occasion special.

Sight
Add beauty with textured accessories.

Touch
Soft robes and towels, body butters, eye masks are luxe touches.

Smell
Treat yourself with essential oils, fragrant candles or flowers.